The Double Calendar Spread and the Double Diagonal Spread are two popular option trading strategies with the more advanced option trader. These two trades, while similar, have distinct differences. Let’s define these strategies and see how each can be used to your advantage. The Double Calendar Spread is an offshoot of the very popular calendar (time) spread. In a normal calendar spread you sell and buy a call with the same strike price, but the call you buy will have a later expiration date than the call you sell. With a Double Calendar Spread you buy a calendar with a strike price below the market and another with a strike price above where the market is trading. By getting above and below you widen your trade’s risk range by making more room for the price to move and still keep the trade profitable. For example, if the SPX is trading at 2100 you might buy the 2070 put calendar and the 2130 call calendar. Of course, this is all done in the same short month and the same long months (for instance, selling March and buying April). Benefits for Your Trade The Double Calendar trade is long Vega— meaning your […]